Weather maps

Question 1

Why weather maps?

Answer 1

Get an overview of the larger scale situation.
Weather into a number
Better analysis of situation
Good for forecasting

Question 2

First meteorological network

Answer 2

Hemmer 1781. Made hinecasts in Mannheim. Standardized measurements.

Question 3

World meteorological organization

Answer 3

international data collection.

Question 4

Measurement techniques

Answer 4

satellites (geostationary and low-orbiting)
moored bouys 
drift bouys
aircrafts
ships 
land-based observing stations 
radio sondes

Question 5

standard measurement station measures…

Answer 5

temperature, humidity, global radiation, vivibility, precipitation, precipitation period, wind speed, wind direction, air pressure

Question 6

Radio sondes measure

Answer 6

Temperature, RH, pressure, wind, partly ozone concentration. up to 25km height.

Question 7

Airplanes measure

Answer 7

Temperature, and winds.

Question 8

Geostationary satellites measure

Answer 8

wind and cloud cover

Question 9

Analysis of weather maps

Answer 9

Isobars
Wind direction patterns indicating a front
Present weather and cloudiness connected to front
Change of pressure over the last hour
Look at temperature, especially DWPT..
Fronts show converging winds.
Fronts might be clearer higher up (850hpa)
Fronts are more clear close to L-center

Question 10

Cold front passage - wind pattern, temperature, pressure, clouds, precipitation, visibility, dew point

Answer 10

Wind: Before: south/southwest. During: Gusty. After: west/north west
Temperature: Before: warm. During: sudden drop. After: steadily dropping
Pressure: Before: Falling steadily. During: Minimum then sharp rise. After: rising steadily
Clouds: Before: Ci, Cs then Cb or towering cumulus. During: Cb or towering cumulus. After: often Cu or Sc is ground is warm.
Precipitation: Before: showers. During: Heavy showers. After: decreasing and then clear.
Visibility: Before: fair to poor. During: poor then improving. After: good
Dew point: Before: high. During: sharp drop. After: lowering.

Question 11

Warm front passage - wind pattern, temperature, pressure, clouds, precipitation, visibility, dew point

Answer 11

Wind: Before: south/southeast. During: Variable. After: South/southwest.
Temperature: Before: cool to cold. During: steady rise. After: Warmer then steady
Pressure: Before: Usually falling. During: Leveling up. After: slight rise followed by fall
Clouds: Before: Ci, Cs, As, Ns, St and fog. Cb in summer. During: Stratus. After: clearing with scattered Sc. Cb in summer.
Precipitation: Before: Light to moderate rain, snow sleet or drizzle. Showers in summer. During: Drizzle or none. After: usually none sometimes light rain or showers.
Visibility: Before: poor. During: poor but improving. After: fair in haze
Dew point: Before: steady rise. During: steady. After: rise, then steady.

Question 12

Occlusion passage - wind pattern, temperature, pressure, clouds, precipitation, visibility, dew point

Answer 12

Wind: Before: east/southeast/south. During: Variable. After: West/northwest
Temperature Cold-type: Before: Cold/cool. During: Dropping. After: colder.
Temperature Warm type: Before: cold. During: Rising. After: Milder.
Clouds: Before: Ci, Cs, As, Ns. During: Ns sometimes TCu or Cb. After: Ns, As or scattered Cu.
Precipitation: Before: Light, moderate or heavy. During: light, moderate or heavy. After: light, moderate or heavy. followed by clearing.
Visibility: Before: Poor in precipitation. During: Poor in precipitation. After: improving.
Dew point: Before: steady. During: usually slight drop. After: slight drop.